Does any one know about the NYC's operations in WV? Specifically its division point yard and the name of the division. Also any info on Swiss, WV would be appreciated. Jeffrey
You might find this of use. The NYC tracks along the Kanawha river and its tributaries were under the Ohio Central. I found an old map on this rails/trails site that has some info about the track around Swiss, but it's very high level. It's not a detailed track chart, so I couldn't see where the yards are. Is there a particular time frame you're looking for? CSX still operates much of that track, though they've probably streamlined it a fair bit.
NYC and C&O jointly operated the Nicholas, Fayette and Greenbrier (NF&G) which was a coal branch in the Greenbrier field. Pics of the area are sketchy, but try the C&O Historical Society (they have an incredibly useful archive search feature) for a few pics. They should have track charts available through their shop as well. Other than this, I know little of their W Va operations. They operated a yard and an engine servicing house and facility (jointly) at Rainelle, West Virginia. This was mountain railroading at its best (or worst), up until about 1948 they still had to use switchbacks in places to get over the line.
I have a 1943 map which is pretty much the same as TwinDad's. It shows Swiss as the terminus of the Ohio Central Division line from Kanauga, Ohio. I know nothing about Swiss, however. :tb-sad:
Wow...if only my Dad was still alive, he could tell you all you want to know in exacting detail I'm sure! He was a train dispatcher for the New York Central/Penn Central/Conrail working out of Charleston. Countless times as a child I can remember his conversations with my mom after coming home from working the "third trick", and he talked about Swiss many times - and all points in between.
This true. There are some brief, VERY brief shots a NYC Mikado and later an F unit working those mines on Clear Block Productions "Vignettes of the Chesapeake and Ohio". In fact, this has had an effect while planning my layout that will soon be under construction. I have purchased some NYC equipment and plan on running a few NYC coal trains over C&O trackage to get to my coal mine. Prototypical operations such as this offer another outlet and reason (similar to interchange tracks) to run foreign equipm<<<ent on the layout. >>>http://www.train-video.com/vco1dvd.html<<<
You might also contact the WV Department of Culture and History. They may well have some information on Swiss and all the other towns along the line. The railroads, too.
Well, you haven't really told me much I didn't already know. Twindad, I am interested in the 60's in particular. The double switchbacks were located just after meadow creek off the C&O mainline. The trains were about 14-20 cars increasing to 30 when the "Claypool loops" were installed. Swiss is the southern terminus of the southern sub and marks the beginning of the NF&G. JNXT I am sorry for your loss. Out of curiosity, when did he pass? Do know any of you father's co-workers? Also I assume you watched NYC trains rolling by, do you know which locomotives were frequently on the trains/switching in Dickinson or Charleston? Kitbash, will your layout have a freelanced trackplan? I think I might "adopt" the southern sub. Many will agree it is interesting, but no one knows much about it. If you guys want want me to I can share most of what I know on the area.
